ROYAL wedding watchers are being urged to stock up on suncream and get ready for a day of glorious sunshine as Britain’s weather turns up the heat for the event of the year.

Daily records for May could topple on Saturday with higher than normal temperatures forecast across much of the country.

A week of blue skies and sunshine to follow will bring a blowtorch end to spring heralding the start to what is shaping up to be a long, hot, barbecue summer.

The mercury is tipped to push past the 30C (86F)-mark during the last weekend of May potentially bringing another historic bank holiday scorcher.

It will draw to a close a remarkable spring which kicked off to freezing temperatures and blizzards before the sun burst through to topple temperature records through the past two months.

Glorious predictions for the next few days and beyond have prompted bookies to once again take the axe to a raft of weather odds.

Ladbrokes reckon Saturday could be the hottest day of the year so far cutting the odds on this from 9-4 to 2-1.

Spokesman Alex Apati said: "It's looking increasingly likely the weather will be perfect for the biggest Royal event in recent years.”

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Coral is offering odds on at 4-5 for thermometers to hit 20C (68F) or above on wedding day although forecasters are confident the mercury will creep a couple of degrees higher.

“The sun is set to shine over the weekend and it’s looking increasingly likely that Harry, Meghan and all their guests can enjoy the day in some very warm temperatures,” said Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead.

Government forecasters predict a steady warm-up through the rest of this week with highs of 22C (71.6F) possible as the royal couple tie the knot.

Independent forecasters agree the mid-week slump will give way to a dramatic improvement in the run up to the weekend.

Much of the UK will enjoy clear skies and sunshine from Thursday with just Northern Ireland and Scotland missing out on the golden rays, the Met Office said.

Meteorologist Bonnie Diamond said: “High pressure is going to build through the rest of the week and into the weekend.

“We expect fine, dry and settled weather on Saturday for much of the country with long spells of sunshine and temperatures reaching 22C (71.6F) in some spots.

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“Sunday will be another dry day with plenty of sunshine for most of the country with the exception of Scotland and Northern Ireland which will be cooler with a greater chance of cloud and rain.

“Elsewhere we could see temperatures reaching around 23C (73.4F) or 24C (75.2F).

“Into the start of next week, and for southern and eastern parts of the country it will remain fine and sunny although there will be a risk of wind and rain elsewhere.”

As punters rush to splash the cash on hot weather this weekend some forecasters say temperatures could nudge the mid-20Cs on Saturday.

Exacta Weather’s James Madden said the mercury will make a gradual climb through the rest of May possibly reaching 30C (86F) or higher by the bank holiday.

It means for the second time this month the record for the May bank holiday will be under threat with 32.2C (89.96F) set in South Farnborough, Hampshire, on Monday, May 29, 1944, the figure to beat this time round.

Mr Madden said: “Better weather will be welcomed by many this weekend with plenty of prolonged sunshine on the cards for the royal wedding on Saturday.

“The only downside will be that there could be some variable cloud cover which is likely to develop in places.

“However the weather in Windsor is looking very promising, perfect for a wedding, with ample periods of glorious sunshine and temperatures around the low 20Cs or possibly higher.

“This will set the scene for the rest of the month which is looking predominantly summery with confidence building for another burst of very warm to hot temperatures in time for the next Bank Holiday weekend.

“It is not out of the question that we could see temperatures in the high 20Cs or even low 30Cs within this period.”

The record for May 19 is currently 28.3C (83F) set in Glenbranter, on the northwest shore of Loch Eck, in the Argyll Forest Park, Scotland, in 1948.

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The Met Office has urged people planning to spend Saturday outdoors to take care with UV levels expected to be high.

A spokesman said: “The sun is very strong at this time of year so if you are planning to be outside all day, at either the wedding or elsewhere, it is important to remember to wear sunscreen or cover-up.

“Confidence is growing that there will be no rain to spoil the proceedings with only a very small Those heading to Windsor should take an extra layer with a chilly start to the day expected, according to the Met Office's deputy chief meteorologist Chris Tubbs.

He said: “We expect some warm, sunny spells, although there is some uncertainty about just how much cloud we can expect during the day.

“Early temperature forecasts suggest that the day will start rather cool, with an early morning temperature of around 6C (42F), so anyone who arrives early to get a good place in the crowd will need to wear something warm.